A Concubine's Competitive Life in the Prince's Household-Chapter 82

Zhang Miaoyu’s eyes nearly welled up with tears as she blurted out, “Your Highness! You can’t just indulge yourself while cutting off *my* share of meat!”

Prince Yan’s handsome brow furrowed deeply. “When have *I* ever indulged?”

Zhang Miaoyu huffed indignantly, her expression defiant. “The Princess Consort, in her virtuous wisdom, worried that Sister Shen Wei might be inconvenienced during her pregnancy and unable to attend to you. So she specially picked a beautiful concubine for you. Now that you have a new plaything, isn’t that ‘indulging’?”

Hearing her twisted logic, Prince Yan grew even more displeased. “Someone, escort Lady Zhang back to her quarters.”

Zhang Miaoyu lowered her head, feigning pitiful obedience, but not before swiping two bowls of delicious chilled milk pudding on her way out. She left with her maid, Xiang Yu, in tow.

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

As she stepped away from the Glazed Pavilion, Zhang Miaoyu glanced back at its lively courtyard and sighed quietly.

Shen Wei had generously gifted her treats, and in return, Zhang Miaoyu had deliberately brought up the Princess Consort’s underhanded schemes in front of Prince Yan—planting a seed of doubt in his mind.

“Time to go enjoy this pudding,” Zhang Miaoyu murmured, her face brightening with a smile.

Xiang Yu, trailing behind, couldn’t resist reminding her, “My lady, His Highness advised you to watch your diet…”

Zhang Miaoyu giggled, hugging the bowls of pudding to her chest. “One needs energy to lose weight, you know. Besides, I *hope* Sister Shen Wei stays in favor. She’s far more interesting than the prince anyway.”

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After Zhang Miaoyu left, Prince Yan, in high spirits, stayed to enjoy the cool evening breeze with Shen Wei.

The summer heat was oppressive, so the prince had Cai Ping bring chilled milk pudding. He ate leisurely while reviewing official documents.

Shen Wei watched him with longing eyes.

Oh, how she craved a taste!

“The imperial physician warned me that ice in summer can easily cause stomachaches,” Prince Yan said, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

The pudding itself wasn’t particularly extraordinary, but with Shen Wei gazing at it so eagerly, Prince Yan suddenly found it irresistibly delicious.

Truly, what others couldn’t have always seemed the most enticing.

Shen Wei let out a small huff and fanned herself vigorously with her silk hand fan.

As night fell, the dinner table was laid with dishes tailored for a pregnant woman—radish and pork rib soup, stir-fried bean sprouts, poached fish—all nutritious but bland.

“Your Highness, I was craving spicy meatballs…” Shen Wei pouted miserably.

Prince Yan waved a dismissive hand. “Not allowed.”

Shen Wei toyed with her jade chopsticks. “But back in my hometown, pregnant women don’t fuss over such things. My neighbor’s wife waded into the river to catch fish even with a big belly!”

Her innocent protest only made Prince Yan stricter. “Weiwei, behave.”

Shen Wei could only lower her head obediently and sip the nourishing soup.

Fine, fine. She’d eat it.

Truthfully, she *had* planned to switch to these healthier meals during her pregnancy. But if she’d done so willingly, it would’ve seemed too calculated. Now that the prince had taken the initiative, she could play along perfectly.

That night, Prince Yan and Shen Wei retired to bed. Shen Wei changed into a sheer silver silk nightgown and lay demurely on the cooling mat, her lovely eyes brimming with affection as she gazed at him.

The room was scented with light incense, and a vase of pink lotus buds stood on the table, just beginning to bloom.

In the soft candlelight, Shen Wei looked like a painting—her delicate features, her graceful figure—and Prince Yan felt his desire stir.

“Your Highness.” Shen Wei reached out to help him undress.

Prince ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‍Yan had intended to make love to her as usual, but his gaze fell on her still-flat stomach. She carried their child now.

The imperial physician had repeatedly warned him: the early and late stages of pregnancy were fragile. In the past, his other wives and concubines had barred him from touching them entirely during those periods.

“With the baby so new, I won’t risk it,” Prince Yan sighed, lying down beside her without removing his robes.

The room was cooled by an ice basin, making the summer night comfortably chilly. Shen Wei nestled close, her slender fingers trailing feather-light over his arm.

She knew Prince Yan was at the peak of virility, his needs strong.

He could endure restraint once or twice.

But if this went on, he *would* seek another woman eventually. Shen Wei didn’t need him by her side every moment, but she *did* need to ensure his attention remained mostly fixed on her.

“Your Highness, don’t move,” Shen Wei suddenly whispered, a sly glint in her eyes.

Pregnancy might forbid certain intimacies, but there were *other* ways…

Prince Yan’s eyes widened slightly. The look on her face—mischievous, alluring—was that of a cunning little fox.

The night was still long.

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In Kunyu Courtyard, the small prayer hall was bathed in the glow of slowly burning incense, the air thick with smoky fragrance.

The Princess Consort knelt piously before the shrine, hands pressed together, murmuring prayers under her breath.

Before long, Granny Liu entered with a young girl in tow. “Princess Consort, the new arrival is here to pay respects.”

The Princess Consort opened her eyes slowly.

She reverently placed a fresh stick of incense in the burner, her well-worn prayer beads sliding between her fingers, before returning to the main hall. Seated in her high-backed chair, she studied the plainly dressed girl. “Look up.”

The girl stiffened, her neck trembling as she raised her head.

She was pretty in a simple way—delicate features, clear eyes. Her coarse linen dress and nervously twisting fingers betrayed her unease. This was likely her first time facing a woman of such high status, and her entire body quivered faintly.

The Princess Consort’s expression remained unreadable. “Your name?”

“T-this humble one is called Wang Zhaodi…” she stammered.

The eldest of five daughters, her parents had only just borne a son this year. Needing money to raise him, they’d sold her to a tavern. There, her passable looks caught Granny Liu’s eye, and she was purchased as a new concubine for the prince.

The Princess Consort glanced at the incense burner. “That name won’t do. From now on, you are… Xiang’er.”

The girl ducked her head. “Yes…”

“Granny Liu, take Xiang’er away. Supply her with proper dresses and hairpins—make her presentable.”

As Granny Liu led the girl out, the Princess Consort sipped her tea. Xiang’er’s background mirrored Shen Wei’s, and she wasn’t particularly clever. Perhaps she could divert some of the prince’s favor.

Even if she couldn’t, the mere presence of a new concubine might unsettle Shen Wei during her vulnerable state.

Logically, the Princess Consort knew Shen Wei posed little real threat. Yet, somewhere deep inside, an acidic resentment simmered. Every woman in this household eventually withered into stiff, lifeless decorum.

But Shen Wei? She bloomed like a stubborn flower, showing no signs of fading.

The Princess Consort refused to dwell on why that was.

She only wanted to hasten Shen Wei’s fall from grace—until she, too, became just another dull shadow. Only then would that suffocating tightness in her chest ease.

After prayers, the Princess Consort went to check on her two sons’ studies.

As she entered their courtyard, a faint sweetness lingered in the air. The study door was ajar, revealing her three children inside.

Each held a bowl of chilled brown sugar cake, savoring the treat with delighted smiles. The scene was warm, harmonious.

“Big Brother, next time, tell me what you want to eat. I’ll buy it for you,” eight-year-old Li Yao chirped, her voice sweet as a songbird’s.

Li Chengke grinned. “I want candied hawthorns.”

Li Yao clapped her hands. “Alright! Next time, I’ll bring you candied hawthorns!”

The Princess Consort was furious. The children hadn’t finished their lessons, and here they were sneaking snacks together? She flung open the study door with such force that the startled trio inside nearly jumped out of their skins.

“What are you doing?” the Princess Consort demanded, her brow furrowed in disapproval.